The story of Toney Douglas last year, is that player who spent his college career playing shooting guard, committed to making himself into an NBA point guard. While he remains a work in progress, he did manage to make enough progress last year, to beat out the Knicks other two point guards, who spent years playing the point.
The people who don't like Andy Rautin's game at shooting guard, may be unaware that this year the Knicks drafted another point guard conversion project. Andy is also an intelligent player, who shoots threes about 2 percentage points more accurately than Toney, is also a good passer, is substantially taller than Toney, and is also enthusiastic about playing defense. Those that think that Andy Rautin is not a serious contender to eventually become a starter for the Knicks at some future point, are not paying close enough attention imo.
The recipe for players who will fit D'Antoni's system properly includes capable outside shooting, unselfish efficient passing, and high basketball IQ. I find it not a coincidence that the Phoenix Suns, who play similarly to the Knicks, also had an interest in Fields. The reason the Knick's two draft picks were not all that popular with most of the assorted draft guru's is because they are being hand picked to have the attributes that Mike prizes. So who knows more about which players will fit well in the Knick's system, the Draft Guru's, or Mike D'Antoni? If you think the Draft Express knows more about what players will fit better in the Knicks system, than Mike D'Antoni, think again.
6/25/2010 3:12 PM